Oba Adewale Sunday Boboye, the Ajagun Ode of Ode community in Akure North Local Government Area has been jailed for ten years by an Osi Magistrates’ Court.
The traditional ruler was found guilty of six counts of malicious damage, including the destruction of properties belonging to a church without permission.
The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Bukola Ojo.
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According to Prosecutor Sergeant Ajiboye Babatunde, Boboye and others conspired on September 20, 2023, to commit malicious damage to the ‘Pastorate and laity of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, along Ado Ekiti Road Igoba, Akure North.’
Babatunde said that
“The convict, when arrested, could not give satisfactory account to the police.”
The accused was charged with destroying the perimeter fence of the church, palm trees, food crops, and a signpost, which were valued at five million naira.
The prosecution (Babatunde)
called four witnesses to testify and therefore urged the court to impose a harsh sentence to deter others from committing similar offenses.
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In response, Boboye’s defense counsel, Adeola Kayode, denied the allegations and asked for leniency.
However, despite the defense’s plea, the magistrate sentenced Boboye to a total of eight years in prison and imposed fines totaling fifty thousand naira (N50,000).
Additionally, the court ordered Boboye to pay five million naira (N5 million) in compensation to the church for the damage caused.
The sentences would run concurrently, meaning that Boboye would serve a maximum of 2 years in prison if he fails to pay the compensation.
